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Picture this: 400 million cups of coffee. That’s how much coffee Americans drink every day. Whether steaming hot or poured over ice, Americans just love their cup of joe. It’s a great way to start the day, finish off a meal or ward off sleepiness in the afternoon.

It turns out, coffee can be good for your brain, too. In particular, a recent study showed that it may reduce your risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Drinking coffee can help lower brain disease risk

Elisabet Rothenberg, a registered dietitian with Kristianstad University in Sweden, wrote an expert report on diet and how it influences the risk of developing brain disorders. This report, which was supported by the non-profit organization, Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC), also explored how coffee consumption could reduce this risk. To find answers, Rothenberg reviewed previous studies that looked into the possible effects of coffee on the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Rothenberg found sufficient evidence that regular consumption of coffee can lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, coffee can even help curb the symptoms of those diseases in some cases. The studies that Rothenberg used focused on “moderate coffee consumption,” which was defined as three to five cups of coffee per day.

Another thing Rothenberg found was that men are more likely to benefit from the effects of coffee consumption on Parkinson’s than women. Previous studies show that drinking coffee after the onset of Parkinson’s can improve motor activity. Overall, existing literature suggests that drinking coffee can help lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Before Rothenberg’s report, researchers have only speculated about how coffee consumption affects the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases among the elderly. Previous studies suggest that caffeine, the main active compound in coffee, may prevent inflammation, which has been associated with chronic diseases.

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease commonly affect older adults. Both are types of dementia. People with dementia have trouble thinking, remembering and making decisions. A person can also develop dementia despite not having either Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, as is the case for people who’ve had strokes.

While dementia tends to affect older adults, it isn’t a normal part of aging. And while neurodegenerative diseases are not “curable” in the conventional sense, a growing body of research indicates that it’s possible to reverse or prevent them. Rothenberg’s report suggests that drinking coffee may be one way to do that.

Other benefits of drinking coffee

Coffee has been the subject of much debate. Despite its reported benefits, health experts warn against drinking coffee in excess since it can lead to insomnia, indigestion and high blood pressure.

There is a grain of truth to most arguments against coffee consumption. But this doesn’t mean coffee is bad. In fact, problems only start if you drink too much coffee. When consumed in moderation, coffee can confer amazing benefits. These include:

• Coffee provides antioxidants – Coffee has greater antioxidant activity than cocoa or green tea, two antioxidant-rich foods. Scientists have identified about 1,000 antioxidants in coffee beans. Antioxidants help protect your cells from inflammation and damage caused by free radicals.
• Coffee boosts short-term memory – The caffeine in coffee jolts your brain awake, giving your short-term memory a temporary boost. Caffeine can also temporarily improve your concentration, although it remains unclear how long these effects last or why they may vary among people.
• Coffee supports heart health – Keep your heart in good shape by drinking coffee. A recent study by Dutch researchers found that people who drank two to four cups of coffee daily were 20 percent less likely to develop heart disease. This effect may be attributed to coffee’s powerful antioxidants.
• Coffee may help prevent cancer – There is some evidence that coffee may protect against cancers of the prostate, liver, colon and breast. Experts attribute coffee’s anti-cancer activities to the polyphenols it contains.
• Coffee may reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes – Studies have found a promising link between coffee consumption and a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. One way coffee may prevent diabetes is by improving your cells’ response to insulin, the hormone that controls your blood sugar levels.
• Coffee supports liver health – Drinking coffee may also keep cirrhosis at bay. Liver cirrhosis is a common complication of liver damage and is marked by the irreversible scarring of the liver. Research shows that coffee can reduce liver enzyme levels. High liver enzyme levels indicate inflammation.
• Coffee boosts exercise performance – Coffee can dehydrate you because it is a diuretic agent. But studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption won’t dehydrate you enough to prevent you from exercising. In fact, coffee helps fight fatigue and even temporarily boosts your stamina.
• Coffee curbs symptoms of depression – Caffeine is thought to activate brain chemicals that control your mood, such as dopamine and serotonin. This may be how it helps curb mood swings, chronic sadness, pessimism and other symptoms of mental health problems like depression.

Drinking coffee can help lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s later in life. It can also result in better short-term memory and a healthier heart, among other benefits. But remember that coffee can cause anxiety, high blood pressure and sleep problems if consumed in excess, so drink this beverage in moderation.

Sources:

DisturbMeNot.co^[PDF]

MindBodyGreen.com

CoffeeAndHealth.org

OneMedical.com